My music

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Vira Lozinsky named as finalists for the album category of the 7th Annual IMA award

Yiddish singer Vira Lozinsky is among a diverse group of independent musicians named as finalists for the “World Music album” category of the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards.Vira Lozinsky is a leading voice among a new generation of singers cultivating Yiddish culture in Israel. She is also one of the freshest young talents in the international Yiddish music scene. She has performed at theatres and festivals throughout Israel, Europe, North and South America. Her recently-released debut CD of Yiddish songs “Vayte Shtern” – (Distant stars) has been nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards / Best World Music album.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Neighbours Kylie and Jason reunited

Former lovers Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan are being reunited on the small screen. The ex-Neighbours heartthrobs will perform a sketch together for The Kylie Show on ITV1. TV viewers will see Donovan send himself up and pretend not to know who the pop princess he once dated is. Their appearance together takes place 20 years after their on-screen Neighbours wedding was one of TV's biggest events. The marriage of tomboy mechanic Charlene Mitchell and boy-next-door Scott Robinson was broadcast in Australia in 1987 and a year later in the UK. But Minogue left Donovan devastated when she ended the relationship in 1990 and began her affair with INXS star Michael Hutchence. Minogue went on to become a huge star, shedding her squeaky clean image, while Donovan's pop and musical career collapsed and he turned to drugs. Donovan, 39, now a father-of-two, made a comeback after appearing in last year's series of I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! In Saturday night's ITV show, Donovan thinks Minogue is a fan who wants his autograph. He signs her script before Minogue, 39, reminds him of their Neighbours history and that they dated for years in real life. The Kylie Show, in which Minogue also performs on a bucking bronco, is broadcast at 9.35pm on Saturday night on ITV1.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Britney couldn't accept marriage collapse

Britney Spears hung her wedding dress on the wall because she couldn't accept her marriage to Kevin Federline was over.The 'Gimme More' singer's former assistant Kalie Machado has revealed Britney was so devastated when their relationship broke down in November 2006 she sank into a deep depression.Machado said: "Britney hung her wedding dress on the bedroom wall and kept framed photographs of her and Kevin together all over the house."She would ask, 'Why did he do this to me?' It just made her crazy and depressed. She needs mental help."The 25-year-old star would break down in tears in front of her sons, two-year-old Sean Preston, and 13-month-old Jayden James, because they were a constant reminder of their absent father.Machado told Us Weekly magazine: "She wanted so badly to have the father of her babies. When Britney thought about Kevin not wanting her, she would bawl. She would look at Sean and Jayden and say, 'Where's your daddy? I need help. Where's your daddy?' "The former personal assistant also believes Kevin pushed Britney into confronting him because he needed a reason to end the marriage.Machado claimed: "The boys were with Britney when she and Kevin had their last final row."She took them with her to confront him in New York. She stood up for herself, and it kind of backfired. That was what he wanted."

Friday, October 26, 2007

Christina Aguilera names unborn child

Christina Aguilera has named her unborn child, it has been claimed.The 'Dirrty' singer - who is yet to publicly confirm her pregnancy - held a private baby shower for family and friends at the weekend (20.10.07) where she revealed she is naming her baby after husband Jordan Bratman.A source told In Touch Weekly magazine: "She rubs her baby bump and talks to the baby, calling it Jordy."The 26-year-old singer is almost six months into the pregnancy and is said to be expecting a boy.A source said: "Christina's friends all bought boy-themed gifts for the shower, all blue."Earlier this month, Christina, Jordan, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law all visited exclusive Los Angeles baby boutique Bel Bambini to register gifts for the baby shower.Sales assistant Crysta Smith said: "She looked beautiful. She had a little bump. She said she was so excited to be pregnant."Christina and her family chose a variety of items for her baby shower list, including blankets, diaper bags, bottles and clothing.

Bob Dylan film released at Christmas

I'm Not There is a biographical film reflecting the life of musician Bob Dylan. The iconic singer-songwriter will be depicted through seven distinct stages of his life by six different actors (Marcus Carl Franklin, Ben Whishaw, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Richard Gere, and Cate Blanchett). It was co-written and directed by Todd Haynes.The film is said to tell its story using rather non-traditional techniques, much like the poetic narrative style utilized in Dylan's songwriting. "The film is going be inspired by Dylan's music and his ability to re-create and re-imagine himself time and time again," according to key producer, Christine Vachon. It was rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for language, some sexuality and nudity.The title I'm Not There is a reference to the Dylan outtake recorded during The Basement Tapes (Sessions). It was not included in the studio album The Basement Tapes and can only be found on the CD bootleg set The Genuine Basement Tapes and the later remastered version (still considered a bootleg) of that set A Tree With Roots. I'm Not There is one of the most famous and highly regarded outtakes, not just of the Basement Tapes, but Dylan’s whole career. It has never been officially released, though it is slated to appear on the film’s soundtrack.The production began filming in late July 2006 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It premiered at the 34th Telluride Film Festival on August 31st and won the Grand Jury Prize and Best Actress honors for Blanchett at the 64th Venice Film Festival. It opened in theaters in Italy on September 7, 2007. It was also part of the Toronto International Film Festival and played on September 14, 2007.The film is out on December 21st in the UK.

Duran Duran video banned

.K. TV has banned a video for Duran Duran's collaboration with Justin Timberflake as the clip was too explicit.The video for Falling Down, which Timberlake co-wrote and produced, pokes fun of the celebrity culture in rehab. But the promo was criticised by TV censors for showing controversial scenes of semi-naked models in distress. The 80s pop sensations have had to compromise by releasing a toned down version instead.

Metallica new album in February

Metallica's new studio album looks set to hit the shelves in February.The Examiner.com spoke with Lars on the Rick Rubin produced album. Here is part of what Lars had to say:'Fans may be stunned by the decision to waive longtime producer Bob Rock for Rubin. "But for our own sanity, our own creative survival, we needed to work with a different set of circumstances and dynamics," Ulrich says. "So we've been stripped of our defense mechanisms, and it's been very invigorating to be challenged again. Rick's taken everything we've known about making records and completely turned it upside down." 'Are the songs punchier, four or five minutes long? "Well, the most of the intros are four to five minutes," he says. "I don't know — Metallica and short songs just don't go that well together. But whereas 'St. Anger' was an exercise in over-pummelling the listener, these new songs echo some of our stuff from the '80s- long, epic journeys through different musical landscapes, heavier, but a lot more melodic." The next album, set for release next February, its almost finished, with the band will be polishing up vocal mixes until December.